Barrier protection of electrical power and television antenna lead receptacles



Feb. 27, 1968 c. F. MAXTED 3,371,149

BARRIER PROTECTION OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND TELEVISION ANTENNA LEAD RECEPTACLES Filed Oct. 18, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 10 JZT it; .2.

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IV vE/vraQ. 6274,04 5: 1-: Mqxrso y WM f W 0r TOENEY-Si 3,371,149 I BARRIER PROTECTION OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND TELEVISION ANTENNA LEAD RECEPTACLES Charles F. Maxted, Gardena, Calif., assignor to Sierra Electric Corporation, Gardcna, Calif., a corporation of California 1 Filed Oct. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 497,299 Claims. (Cl. 174-53) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosed electrical outlet assembly includes integral L-shaped strap structure having a protective barrier plate projecting within an outlet box between an electrical power terminal-receptacle and a television antenna lead terminal receptacle; the strap structure also having spaced arms and an interconnecting cross piece spaced from the barrier plate and proximate the front of the box so that one of the receptacles is receivable between the arms and also between the barrier and cross piece, and also so that the arms or cross piece may be removably retained by a fastener at the inner side of a covering face plate.

This invention relates generally to electrical outlet assemblies, and more particularly has to do with improvements in such assemblies incorporating electrical power terminal and television antenna terminal receptacles.

In a typical outlet assembly incorporating the invention there are provided a box structure having a front opening, a face plate extending in overlying relation to the front opening, an electrical power terminal receptacle and a television antenna lead terminal receptacle, both receptacles carried in such relation to the plate as to project into the box interior and to have terminal plug-in accessibility from the outer side of the plate, the receptacles having connections exposed within the box interior for establishing electrical connections with electrical power supply and television antenna leads respectively, and a first strap structure removably retained at the inner side of the face plate to project between the receptacles, thereby providing a barrier against destructive arcing between the connections. As will be seen, the barrier providing strap structure is characterized by unusually effective combination with and accommodation by the remaining structure.

Additional features of the invention include the provision of strap structure having spaced parallel arms proximate the box structure front opening and supporting the barrier, the television antenna lead terminal receptacle projecting through the space between such arms; the location of such arms to define a plane generally parallel to the face plate with the barrier defining a plane generally normal to the face plate; the provision of a box structure flange located to be attachable to a strap structure arm at the box side of the face plate by a fastener; the provision of a second strap for mounting the electrical power receptacle, the box structure having a flange proximate the front opening, and including a fastener attaching both the first strap structure and second strap to the flange at the box side of the face plate; and the integral incorporation of the television antenna lead terminal receptacle with the face plate.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an electrical outlet assembly incorporating the invention, the front cover being removed;

United States Patent FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective showing of the barrier forming strap structure used in the FIG. 1 assembly;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 1, but showing a modified form of outlet assembly;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG.'7 is a perspective view of the FIGS. 5 and -6 barrier forming strap structure.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, the electrical outlet assembly 10 includes a box structure 11 having side, end and bottom walls 12, 13 and 14 respectively, and a front opening 15. Overlying the latter is a face plate 16, which may typically be non-metallic or insulative, and its edges may extend proximate a wall 17.

Carried in such relation to the plate as to project into the box interior and to have terminal plug-in accessibility y from the outer side of plate 16 are an electrical power terminal receptacle 18 and a television antenna lead terminal receptacle 19. The receptacles may have connections 20 and 21 respectively exposed within the box interior for establishing electrical connections with electrical power supply and television antenna leads respectively, and indicated at 22 and 22a.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of first strap structure removably retained at the inner side of the face plate to project between the receptacles, thereby to provide a barrier against destructive arcing between the connections. In FIGS. 1-4 the first strap structure 23 has spaced parallel arms 24 and a crosspiece 30 to form a space 25 through which receptacle 19 projects. The arms 24 extend proximate the front opening 15 and support the barrier 26 which defines a plane generally normal to the faceplate 16. The plane of the arms 24 is substantially parallel to that of the face plate.

Also, as seen in FIG. '2, the receptacles 18 and 19 are carried by a second strap 27 which extends generally parallel to the face plate, between arms 24 and into overlying relation with box structure flanges 28 and 29. Crosspiece 30 is raised relative to arms 24 so as to extend between the strap 27 and the cover plate 16, thereby permitting a single threaded fastener 31 to attach both the first strap structure crosspiece 30 and the second strap to the flange 28 at the box side of the face plate. Another fastener 34 connects the opposite end of strap 27 to flange 29. Finally, fasteners 32 and 33 may attach the face plate for the end portions of strap 27 beyond flanges 28 and 29. F-ace plate 16 has openings 35 and 36 through which the plug-in terminals 38 and 39 of the receptacles 18 and 19 respectively are accessible, as for example to the television lead plug 37.

Turning now to FIGS. 5-7, the assembly 40 includes box structure 41 with side, end and bottom walls 42-44 and front opening 45, face plate 46 overlying the latter. Electrical power terminal receptacles 47 are carried by strap 48, and are accessible through openings 49 in the plate 46. The opposite ends of the strap 48 are fastened at 50 to box flanges 51.

A television lead terminal receptacle 53 is integral with the face plate, and both may comprise molded plastic material. Receptacles 53 and 47 have connections 54 and 55 exposed in the box interior for establishing electrical connections with the television antenna and electrical power supply leads 56 and 57 respectively. Retained at the inner side of the face plate is strap structure 58 in the form of a right angled member having a barrier portion 59 projecting inwardly and between the receptacles 47 and 53, affording protection against dangerous and destructive arcing or shorting as might be produced by electrical mis-connection between the connections 54 and 55, or the exposed portions of the leads 56 and 57.

pieces 61 and' 6la formings-a space 62 through which receptacle 53 projects. Space 62 may be elongated, as seen, to accommodate multiple receptacles 53 if desired. Screw fasteners. .64 removably attach the arms 60 to the flanges 51 and at the box side of the face plate, as well -.as theface plate to the flanges.

Another advantage of the strap structures 23 and 5 8 is their removability to allow attachment or removal of the electrical power and television antenna leads, without interference by the barriers 26 and-43.

- Finally, FIG. 4 illustrates the provision ofindentations 70 on barrier 26 of strap 23, thesebeing spaced apart and parallel to the plane of strap 27. Similar indentations 71 are formed on barrier 59 of strap 58. Such indentations facilitate bending and break-off of terminal portionsv of the barriers, so that the latter may be fitted into box structures such as 11 and 41.

I claim:

1. In .an electrical outlet assembly, box structure having a front opening, a face plate extending in overlying relation-to said opening, an electrical power terminal receptacle and a television antenna lead terminal receptacle, both receptacles carried in such relation to the plate as to project into the box interior and to have terminal plug-in accessibility from the outer side of the plate, the receptacles having connections exposed within the box interior for establishing electrical connections with electrical power supply and television antenna leads respectively, and integral L-shaped strap structure including a barrier plate projecting Within the box structure between said receptacles and spaced generally parallel arms and a cross piece extending generally parallel to the plane of Q the face plate proximate the box structure front opening,

. .said cross piece interconnecting said arms and being spaced from the barrier plate so that one of the receptacles projects in the space between said arms and also between the cross piece and barrier plate, there being a fastener removably retaining at least one of said arms and cross piece proximate the inner side of the face plate.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said box structure has a flange proximatesaid front opening," and said fastener removably attaching at least one of said arms to said flange at the box side of said face plate.

3. The combination of claim 1 including a second strap for mounting said electrical power receptacle, said box structure having a flange proximate said front opening, and said fastener attaching said cross piece and said second strap to said flange at the box side of said face plate, said cross piece being offset to bridge said second strap.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which the television antenna lead terminal receptacle is integral with the face plate.

5. The combination of claim 1 in which the barrier has break-01f indentations formed therein inwardly of the box interior.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,875,224 8/1932 Despard 17453 1,920,811 8/1933 Schwabacher l7453 2,506,212 5/1950 Grohsgel 174-53 LARAMIE E. ASKIN, Primary Examiner.

D. A. TONE, Assistant Examiner. 

